Page 15 of Lavender Lake
“What are these for?” I asked.
“I know you want to be anywhere but here,” Muddy said softly. “So take my truck and go for food or something. Take Bowman with you. He shouldn’t have to sit here with the rest of us.”
I swallowed. “You sure?”
“Yep.” She cradled my cheek in her hand. “There will be plenty of time to catch up later.”
I let out a breath. “Call me if something changes?”
“Will do.” She nodded.
We headed back to the waiting room to Bowman and Declan. They stood when they saw us.
“How is he?” Bowman asked me.
“He’s . . . I don’t know.” I rubbed my third eye.
“He has more color in his cheeks,” Hadley said. “But he’s in a medically induced coma. They’ll wake him up in a few days if everything goes well.”
Try to wake him up. She forgot the word ‘try.’
“We have a ride,” I said to Bowman as I dangled the keys in my hand. “You want to get out of here?”
“Sure,” he said.
“Take him to the Ridge,” Muddy suggested. “Show him around. Get him settled. He can stay in Hadley’s room.”
Bowman . . . in my twin sister’s bedroom . . . right next door to me?
DEFCON 1 for my loins.
“Wouldn’t he be more comfortable at The Regal Beagle?” I blurted out.
Muddy frowned. “No. He’s Declan’s best friend, which makes him family. He stays with us.”
“First of all, I’m right here. Also, what’s The Regal Beagle?” Bowman asked with a cheeky smile at me.
“The only bed and breakfast in town,” I replied, ignoring the teasing glint in his eye, as if he knew what was going on in my brain.
“It used to be a brothel,” Hadley said with a smile. “It’s seen the error of its ways though, and now it’s a respectable Victorian bed and breakfast.”
“They serve tea and crumpets,” I said. “They used to anyway.”
“Still do,” Hadley said. “In fact, I’d be okay having my bachelorette party there when the girls are in town.”
“You wild thing,” I quipped.
She pointed to her belly. “My wild days are over.”
“We could still have a male stripper,” I joked.
“Absolutely not,” Declan said. “And for the record, I’m not having a stripper either.”
“Whatarewe doing for your bachelor party?” Bowman asked.
“You tell me. You’re the one who’s going to plan it,” Declan stated.
“Oh, right.” Bowman winked at Hadley. “No strippers jumping out of cakes, I promise.”
